By Kate Naumes, ND
Environmental pollutants can have potentially damaging effects on our health. Here are some suggestions for decreasing your exposure to environmental pollutants.
10 everyday pollution solutions from the Environmental Working Group
Use cast iron pans instead of Teflon: High heat causes coating to break down and emit toxic particles and gasses including two carcinogens, two global pollutants, and MFA, a chemical lethal to humans at low doses.
Limit canned foods: A study in March of 2007 showed that over 50% of canned foods were in a can lined with biphenol A (BPA), a toxic compound associated with birth defects. There are no government safety standards limiting BPA in canned foods.
Buy organic or eat vegetables and fruit from the “Cleanest 12” group and avoid the “Dirty Dozen” or the 12 with the highest pesticides:
- Cleanest 12: onion, avocado, pineapples, mango, sweet peas, asparagus, kiwi, cabbage, broccoli, eggplant, papaya, blueberries
- “Dirty Dozen”: peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, imported grapes, pears, spinach, potatoes
Increase source of iodine such as seaweed, iodized salt and seafood: Perchlorate from rocket fuel has leaked into the water supply and is found in many common foods including produce and milk. A CDC study found perchlorate in urine samples of 100% of study participants. Perchlorate limits uptake of iodine by the thyroid gland and can induce hypothyroidism.
Seal outdoor wood structures such as decks and jungle gyms: Arsenic is a toxic material linked to cancer in humans which is used to protect wood from the elements. To find out how to test for arsenic and to learn 10 simple steps to reduce your family’s exposure, .go to the Environmental Working Group website www.ewg.org
Leave your shoes at the door: reduces dust-bound pollutants in the home.
Avoid perfume, cologne and products with added fragrance: Go to Skin Deep a site which lists the toxicity of cosmetics and personal care products.
Avoid products with polyurathene: see the green guide (www.thegreenguide.com ) for a list of products containing this chemical. It has been used in foam furniture, electronics, cell phones, carpet padding and as a flame retardant in sleep wear.
Eat low mercury fish: anchovies, calamari, crab, artic cod, oysters, tilapia, freshwater trout, whitefish, sole and perch. Wild Pacific salmon is high in good fats and low in mercury but has been over fished so should be eaten sparingly.
Drink and cook with filtered water: Not all filters remove all toxins. For more information read “The Drinking Water Book- How to Eliminate Harmful Toxins From Your Water” 2006.
Excepts from the Environmental Working Group